Teachers to get permanent contract after one year

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Teachers will be given permanent contracts after one year, under new measures announced by the Minister for Education.

Helen McEntee has put forward a new set of policy steps to address teacher supply, which also include assistance for eligible teachers who trained outside of Ireland to work within the country.

Currently teachers are required to complete two consecutive contracts before qualifying for a permanent position.

Under the new regulations, teachers taking up their first contract in a viable teaching post in September 2025 will become eligible for a permanent contract in September 2026, provided the post remains viable.

 

This eligibility is contingent upon successful reappointment following a competitive recruitment process.

Teachers not covered by this new policy, such as those in substitute roles or those whose posts are not deemed viable after one year, will continue to follow the existing route to permanency, which typically involves achieving a contract of indefinite duration (CID) after a third contract.

Ms McEntee has also committed to working with the Teaching Council to streamline the registration process for eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland, allowing them to apply for registration and complete their induction requirements within the country.

She said: “There are currently over 78,000 qualified teachers employed in Ireland, more than ever before. For their sake, I am determined to address job security and make teaching a more attractive, sustainable career.

“Allowing newly qualified teachers who are starting in September to gain a permanent contract a year earlier will help teachers to place their careers on a more stable footing much sooner than before.

“This will provide teachers with the certainty that they need, particularly when applying for mortgages.

“Enabling eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland to apply for registration and complete their induction here in Ireland is another practical, common-sense measure that will encourage more teachers to work and start their careers here in Ireland.

 

“I am committed to building on today’s announcements and introduce further measures in the coming months to further address teacher supply.

“I am absolutely dedicated to ensuring a high-quality and well-staffed education system for all students in Ireland.”

The announcements come as the major teaching unions – Into, TUI and Asti – hold conferences this week.

Into said the conferences take place at a time of growing frustration among teachers regarding the resourcing, workload and staffing of the primary education system.

The union’s general secretary, John Boyle, said: “Our job is to teach but, too often, teachers are being pulled in every direction.”

He added: “Workload has become unsustainable, and that’s affecting recruitment, retention and the wellbeing of our members. Unless this is taken seriously, industrial action is a real possibility.”

Mr Boyle welcomed the reduced pathway for permanent contracts as “worth a try”, but said the move is “not a panacea”.

The union is calling for a reduction in class sizes and guaranteed substitute cover for all teacher absences.

Into is also demanding action on teacher shortages, including a restructuring of salary scales, greater career progression opportunities and more teacher training places.

It also says teachers need stronger support from psychological, therapeutic and counselling services at school level.

Mr Boyle said: “High living costs, limited career incentives and lack of housing are driving teachers abroad or out of the profession altogether.

“We need serious, targeted interventions, not vague commitments.”